New Alliance Française Vancouver Cultural Facility Opens
byAfter nearly a decade of planning and preparation, Alliance Française Vancouver (AFV) unveiled its new, state-of-the-art cultural facility at 6161 Cambie St in Vancouver. The $24-million, 30,000-square-foot community hub will serve as the nucleus of francophone cultures in Vancouver, becoming the largest, independent cultural facility in BC.
New Alliance Française Vancouver Cultural Facility
This year marks the 120th anniversary of AFV
The expanded facility will now include a 1,120-square-foot art gallery visible from the street, a 165-seat professional theatre, media library, multiple classrooms, and 2,700 square feet of artist studio space. The French-inspired café and bistro, Champs Élysées, will offer a breakfast and lunch menu throughout the day and transform into an intimate wine bar at night. A set of 16 classrooms will serve as an incubator of knowledge and exploration of the French language and culture, for ages 3 and up.
AFV’s building project began in 2015, when it was determined that a new facility was necessary to meet the needs of a growing francophone community in Metro Vancouver. The organization’s original 8,500-square-foot historic home, originally built in 1968, was no longer able to meet the burgeoning demand for AFV’s education, cultural, and community services.
The Vancouver-based firm McFarland Marceau – recognized for its sustainable approach to architecture – was selected to design the facility. Since the building’s demolition in 2021, AFV has operated from its temporary space at 8555 Cambie Street.
Boasting an airy, light-filled design, the four-floor facility’s architecture reflects its West Coast roots, with a mass timber structure, skylight window, gorgeous wood detailing, and uninterrupted views of Metro Vancouver’s mountainous landscape. The eco-responsible project was recognized in 2022 with a Jury Prize from UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, which honours outstanding contributions in the management or preservation of the environment.
French Cultural Centre Events
Alliance Française Vancouver has a long history of serving the community by providing French language programs and promoting local and international francophone cultures through the events it organizes. Each year, Alliance Française Vancouver collaborates with over 50 cultural partners and 100 artists.
Check AFV’s events calendar for activities, workshops, movies, book clubs, classes, and exhibition information each month.
- Le Petit-Déjeuner Littéraire | Literary Breakfast September 21st
- Cinema: Le Comte de Monte Cristo September 18th
- RENDEZ-VOUS DES FAMILLES | Atelier Flamenco September 14th
Follow AFV on Facebook for updates.
